Effect of remote ischemic preconditioning on left atrial remodeling and prothrombotic response after radiofrequency catheter ablation for atrial fibrillation.

Background: Radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) of atrial fibrillation (AF) is known to induce left atrial remodeling and prothrombotic response.

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effect of remote ischemic preconditioning (RIPC) on left atrial remodeling and prothrombotic response induced by RFCA of AF.

Methods: Forty-four patients with drug-refractory paroxysmal AF undergoing RFCA were randomized into RIPC (four short episodes of forearm ischemia) and control groups before the procedure. Blood samples were collected before RIPC/sham RIPC, and 24 and 72 hours later after the procedure. The atrial remodeling marker matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and endothelial damage marker von Willebrand factor (vWF) were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Platelet activation was evaluated by flow cytometric measurements of the expression of platelet P-selectin (CD62P) and active glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptor (PAC-1). The early recurrence of atrial fibrillation (ERAF) in the two groups was observed over the subsequent 3 months.

Results: RFCA resulted in a significant increase in MMP-9 and vWF in both the groups, which persisted for 72 hours. However, the expression of CD62P and PAC-1 showed less increase during RFCA in either group. The RIPC group showed a lower increase in MMP-9 and vWF compared with the control group. In contrast, no significant differences were found in the trend of expression of CD62P and PAC-1 during RFCA between the two groups. The AF recurrence in the 3 months after the ablation was significantly lower in the RIPC group than in the control group.

Conclusions: RIPC before RFCA for paroxysmal AF significantly reduces the increase in markers of left atrial remodeling and endothelial damage associated with the procedure, and results in a lower ERAF.